hard
Meaning: Solid and firm; difficult; with great effort
Hard describes physical firmness ('hard surface'), difficulty ('hard question'), or intensity of effort ('work hard'). 'Hard' as an adverb means with effort ('try hard'). 'Hardly' paradoxically means 'barely' or 'almost not'. 'Hard time' means difficulty or (in American English) prison.
Examples
- This mattress is too hard for my back. 这个床垫对我的背来说太硬了。Este colchón es demasiado duro para mi espalda.このマットレスは背中には硬すぎます。이 매트리스는 허리에 너무 딱딱합니다.
- Learning to drive isn't as hard as you might think. 学开车没有你想的那么难。Aprender a conducir no es tan difícil como podrías pensar.運転を習うのは思っているほど難しくありません。운전을 배우는 것은 생각만큼 어렵지 않습니다.
- She worked hard to achieve her goals. 她努力工作以实现目标。Ella trabajó duro para lograr sus metas.彼女は目標を達成するために一生懸命働きました。그녀는 목표를 달성하기 위해 열심히 일했습니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old English 'heard' meaning 'solid, firm, harsh', from Proto-Germanic 'harduz'. Related to German 'hart' and Dutch 'hard'. The 'difficult' sense developed from the 'firm, resistant' meaning — something that resists your efforts. Curiously, 'hardly' evolved to mean 'barely', almost the opposite of 'hard'.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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